The great BLOOD BOWL thread

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@ChapterAquila92 (and @Bowser should he return to the forum)

I wanted to double check something I read with you. The snotling linemen have the insignificant rule, meaning that there can't be more of them on a team roster than players without this rule. So effectively the largest number of snotling lineman you can hire onto a roster is 8 and the rest must be taken up by the positionals. What I've read is that in league you can draft up your team roster using these rules, play a game and afterwards you can fire an positionals you don't want and hire more snotling linemen. Is this true?

 

[ChapterAquila92]

@ChapterAquila92 (and @Bowser should he return to the forum)

I wanted to double check something I read with you. The snotling linemen have the insignificant rule, meaning that there can't be more of them on a team roster than players without this rule. So effectively the largest number of snotling lineman you can hire onto a roster is 8 and the rest must be taken up by the positionals. What I've read is that in league you can draft up your team roster using these rules, play a game and afterwards you can fire an positionals you don't want and hire more snotling linemen. Is this true?

That is correct. The ruling for the Insignificant trait only applies when drafting the team, not when managing the team between games in the midst of a season.

 

[Killer Angel]

waiting for @Bowser to return...

 

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That is correct. The ruling for the Insignificant trait only applies when drafting the team, not when managing the team between games in the midst of a season.

That opens up some options (and also makes the rule seem inconsequential). I've heard some say that it isn't worth taking any positionals outside of the Trolls and Pump Wagons because of the cost difference when working out relative team values. I really like the idea of the Fungas Flinga though, I can't see myself not rostering them. I also think that the Stilty Runna has great potential especially if you can advance him with the Sure Feet skill. However, I'm not really sold on the Fun-hoppa outside of it's cool mini, which I am very fond of.

Match Play is a different case though as the cost between the positionals and the basic Snotling Lineman is miniscule.

 

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waiting for @Bowser to return...

He really has seemed to have disappeared on us.

 

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[ChapterAquila92]

That opens up some options (and also makes the rule seem inconsequential). I've heard some say that it isn't worth taking any positionals outside of the Trolls and Pump Wagons because of the cost difference when working out relative team values. I really like the idea of the Fungas Flinga though, I can't see myself not rostering them. I also think that the Stilty Runna has great potential especially if you can advance him with the Sure Feet skill. However, I'm not really sold on the Fun-hoppa outside of it's cool mini, which I am very fond of.

Match Play is a different case though as the cost between the positionals and the basic Snotling Lineman is miniscule.

Eh... It's still a rule to be kept in mind, even in league play. Of particular note, you must have a minimum of 11 players on your roster each time you draft the team (be it for league or matched play), which for Snotlings means that they can't afford to skip out on taking positional players when drafting, big guys or not.

And honestly? I don't really see any significant benefit that comes from reducing your team value by up to 20k by taking Snotling Linemen over Stilty Runnas and Fun-Hoppas, especially when the stats and skill equivalents they each have would otherwise cost a Snotling Lineman two advances and a 40k increase in player value just to have. Even trading out the Fungus Flingas for two Linemen each would be an outright downgrade for a team that's already on the back foot just for being a Stunty team, and all for what, a max of 50k difference in team value across six players? That's barely enough for a dedicated team apothecary or minor inducements, much less anything that requires your team to be horribly outmatched in order to take.

 

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Of particular note, you must have a minimum of 11 players on your roster each time you draft the team (be it for league or matched play), which for Snotlings means that they can't afford to skip out on taking non-Big Guy positional players when drafting.

Meaning at minimum, you need to roster at least 6 non-linemen guys. 2 trolls and 2 pump wagons bring you up to 4; leaving the coach two shy, which he must select from the fun-hoppas, stilty runnas and/or fungus flingas. That of course would only bring you to 12 players, which seems a bit light for a vulnerable strength one stunty team. 14 or 15 seems like a better mark to aim for, leaving some room for Star Players.

And honestly? I don't really see any significant benefit that comes from reducing your team value by up to 20k by taking Snotling Linemen over Stilty Runnas and Fun-Hoppas, especially when the stats and skill equivalents they each have would otherwise cost a Snotling Lineman two advances and a 40k increase in player value just to have. Even trading out the Fungus Flingas for two Linemen each would be an outright downgrade for a team that's already on the back foot just for being a Stunty team

I can't really imagine leaving the Fungas Flingas out of the lineup because they seem pretty cool (and fun). They bring a unique dynamic to the team and alongside of thrown players really give the team some long ranged attacking potential.

Likewise, the Stilty Runnas look to be pretty useful. Their two bonuses of +1 movement and sprint work synergistically togetherr. And if you are able to get sure feet on them, they are a potential movement 9 scoring threat. Probably the best scorers on the team (Star Players aside).

The Fun-Hoppa is where I am a bit skeptical. The extra pip of movement is nice, but I'm not really sold on the Pogo skill. I can't imagine that there would be many opportunities where it would shine, especially on a team with linemen that can dodge in and out of any tackle zones on a 2+ with a re-roll (prehensile tail not withstanding). Seems highly situational at best.

and all for what, a max of 50k difference in team value across six players? That's barely enough for a dedicated team apothecary or minor inducements, much less anything that requires your team to be horribly outmatched in order to take.

But it's much more than 50k across six players, it's 140k. The Snotling Linemen count as 0 when working out relative team values because of their low cost linemen special rule. So the six players replaced by linemen nets you a savings of 30k+30k+20k+20k+20k+20k=140k.

140k can already get you some decent Star Players, but when added to what ever team value advantage the Snotlings are likely to already have, it really opens up the very best Star Players in the game and perhaps even two Star Players.

I can't imagine forgoing all the Snotling positionals, but I am wondering where the optimum point is. How many are worth taking and which ones are best left out (if any)?

 

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[ChapterAquila92]

Meaning at minimum, you need to roster at least 6 non-linemen guys. 2 trolls and 2 pump wagons bring you up to 4; leaving the coach two shy, which he must select from the fun-hoppas, stilty runnas and/or fungus flingas. That of course would only bring you to 12 players, which seems a bit light for a vulnerable strength one stunty team. 14 or 15 seems like a better mark to aim for, leaving some room for Star Players.

That's kind of my point, with the added note that my league rarely ever sees star players used as star players (even by the resident stunty teams).

Taking it a step further, in matched and tournament play you don't get access to inducements, so it's pointless to be trying to save space for star players under those circumstances unless you're willing to sacrifice team funds to hire them directly as part of the roster.

I can't really imagine leaving the Fungas Flingas out of the lineup because they seem pretty cool (and fun). They bring a unique dynamic to the team and alongside of thrown players really give the team some long ranged attacking potential.

Likewise, the Stilty Runnas look to be pretty useful. Their two bonuses of +1 movement and sprint work synergistically togetherr. And if you are able to get sure feet on them, they are a potential movement 9 scoring threat. Probably the best scorers on the team (Star Players aside).

The Fun-Hoppa is where I am a bit skeptical. The extra pip of movement is nice, but I'm not really sold on the Pogo skill. I can't imagine that there would be many opportunities where it would shine, especially on a team with linemen that can dodge in and out of any tackle zones on a 2+ with a re-roll (prehensile tail not withstanding). Seems highly situational at best.

I've already gone on enough times about my distaste for the use of star players in league play (especially when it comes to earning SPP), so I won't continue beating that dead horse.

Your mileage may vary when it comes to the Fun-hoppa, but the Pogo trait being a supercharged version of the Leap skill can help you sidestep performing multiple dodge attempts (even if you're functionally dodging on a 2+), especially if what you need to get around is a wall or cage of physical players. The only downside to the Fun-Hoppas is that they can't take On the Ball or Nerves of Steel, but otherwise they can serve as catchers for clutch plays.

But it's much more than 50k across six players, it's 140k. The Snotling Linemen count as 0 when working out relative team values because of their low cost linemen special rule. So the six players replaced by linemen nets you a savings of 30k+30k+20k+20k+20k+20k=140k.

140k can already get you some decent Star Players, but when added to what ever team value advantage the Snotlings are likely to already have, it really opens up the very best Star Players in the game and perhaps even two Star Players.

I can't imagine forgoing all the Snotling positionals, but I am wondering where the optimum point is. How many are worth taking and which ones are best left out (if any)?

Sure, but the expenditure to get to that extreme point is 90k, not including sacking the better players you started the season with to replace with chaff you'll end up firing anyway come redraft. And while we're on that subject, the 20k it costs for a single Stilty Runna or Fun-Hoppa is still better for your team value than trying to advance a snotling lineman for the same stats and skill equivalents. If anything, the Fungus-Flinga is the least efficient in that regard on account of only getting one beneficial trait that is probably overcosted (Bombardier), a slight discount due to Secret Weapon, and access to Passing skills.

That is, unless you just want to sack everyone and start over every season just to game the system. In my experience however, that's not fun to play with or against, no matter how many inducements you can milk the system for by doing so, and you don't get to carry money over into the next season past the redraft.

 

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Taking it a step further, in matched and tournament play you don't get access to inducements, so it's pointless to be trying to save space for star players under those circumstances unless you're willing to sacrifice team funds to hire them directly as part of the roster.

I agree that in match play there isn't any reason not to take all the Snotling positionals. At that point, the Low Cost Linemen rule is not in effect so the value difference between the snotling positionals and the linemen is absolutely minimal.

As for hiring the Star Players directly from team funds, I think that is pretty much a necessity for a team like the Snotlings. Even after you max out all of your positionals and pickup the requisite number of team rerolls, you should still have a large number of funds left over. At that point you need something to spend it on, which comes down to some combination of inducements and/or star players.

And while we're on that subject, the 20k it costs for a single Stilty Runna or Fun-Hoppa is still better for your team value than trying to advance a snotling lineman for the same stats and skill equivalents.

That's true, but if you're advancing a Snotling lineman, I don't think those are the skills you're going to choose. It's a shame they don't have access to General on primary, but even within the confines of Devious and Agility there look to be far better skills available.

If anything, the Fungus-Flinga is the least efficient in that regard on account of only getting one beneficial trait that is probably overcosted (Bombardier), a slight discount due to Secret Weapon, and access to Passing skills.

Is the Bombardier trait not worth the 15k investment over a bog standard Snotling Linemen? It's a pretty unique skill that can't be accessed through traditional advancement and it has the potential have an outsized impact on the pitch. One good throw could single-handedly make it worthwhile. Of course this is only based on opinions I've read/watched, not any actual game experience on my part, so I'm open to be corrected.

I've already gone on enough times about my distaste for the use of star players in league play

I can certainly understand that viewpoint, but I must admit that I am little partial to them. They add such a unique flavor to a team and really shake things up tactically. Choosing a specific Star Player can really alter the way a team is played. And even a wimpy Snotling team can look a little bit more intimidating when backed up by Morg on the pitch!

 

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